Summary: this book tells of the life and ambition of Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was born into a family of wealth and privilege. He was taught early how to help the poor and needy. He was involved in sports and that carried on into his college days. FDR knew President Grover Cleveland who was a friend of the family who said something to FDR that might have encouraged him to seek after being in politics. FDR also had a famous cousin who was President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. Everything that FRD did while a student at Harvard was leading up to his political career. He run for the senate, and won, then governor of New York. But when FDR was 39 years old he was got sick with a disease called polio, and would never walk again. Even though FDR was paralyzed he run for President and won.

Personal reaction: this book was a fun way to learn about FDR life and challenge of dealing with having a disability, as well as being President of the United States.

Extension: I would use this book in the classroom for teaching a theme on Presidents, and how FRD did not allow his disability or him being different stop him for setting big goals for himself.

Q5P3This is an outstanding, gorgeous biography but its subject might not be very attention grabbing.Once a child is immersed in it though, it stands a fair chance of being engrossing. With a prelude about why FDR is important to know about, this could be a good teaching tool. ( )

Wikipedia in English

Franklin D. Roosevelt was born into one of the wealthiest families in America, yet this ultimate rich kid grew up to do more for ordinary Americans than any other president. This appealing picture book biography shows how, from childhood on, FDR was compassionate, cheerful, determined, and enormously likable. Though he had private tutors as a young boy and later attended an elite boys' school, he played pranks and had down-to-earth fun just like any boy today.

Kathleen Krull's animated picture book biography focuses on FDR's childhood years through his entry as a young man into politics and his battle with polio. A summary of his achievements as president and a chronology of his life are included. The well-researched text and the evocative illustrations by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher provide an inspiring introduction to one of our greatest presidents.

(retrieved from Amazon Thu, 12 Mar 2015 18:08:23 -0400)

▾Library descriptions

Focuses on Franklin D. Roosevelt's childhood years and summarizes his achievements as president.